Before Global Positioning System (GPS), airplanes in the United States relied on VORs to fly and in poor weather pilots would navigate from one VOR to another. Each VOR is a small radio station that broadcasts on an assigned frequency. For instance, the Canarsie VOR near the JFK airport covers New York; the Robert’s VOR […]
Pilatus’ Announcement of the PC-24
The PC-24’s interior was enhanced with the goal of improving the overall passenger flight experience. The aircraft’s new integrated Cabin Management System (iCMS) featured a 10″ touch screen controller with 3D moving map, mood lighting, USB ports, four cabin speakers with a sub-woofer option, a media storage server, and a large side-facing divan that […]
Bombardier Announced that Its Challenger 350 Had Reached 300 Deliveries
The super mid-size aircraft, which was awarded steep approach certifications by international regulatory bodies including EASA, FAA and TC, accommodated up to 10 passengers, featured a fully-equipped galley, and unrestricted access to the baggage compartment at all flight levels. Under certain operating conditions, the Challenger 350 had the capability to connect from New York City to […]
The Civilian Pilot Training Act of 1939 Signed into Law
The Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) was established as a civilian program, but its potential for national defense was undisguised. The government would pay for a 72-hour ground school course followed by 35 to 50 hours of flight instruction at facilities located near eleven colleges and universities. The CPTP proved successful, not only strengthening national […]
Gulfstream Announced that Its G500 and G600 Each Exceeded 100,000 Flight Hours
The Gulfstream G500 and G600, which entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, have each surpassed 100,000 flight hours. Both aircraft have seen strong demand and continuous global utilization in the private aviation industry due to their reliability and popularity. Both aircraft are U.S. Federal Aviation […]
First Flight Over the North Pole
Byrd and Chief Aviation Floyd Bennett flew over the North Pole on May 9, 1926, in the Josephine Ford, a triple-engine Fokker high-wing monoplane. Byrd’s and Bennett’s flight was the first time an aircraft had flown over the top of the world. The pair took off from Spitsbergen, Norway, and reportedly covered the 1,545-mile […]
Gulfstream G280 Received Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency
The G280 earned its type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Aug. 30, 2012, and entered service on Nov. 13, 2012. With a range of 3,600 nautical miles (6,667 km), the aircraft was the only super mid-sized business jet that could reliably fly nonstop from London to New York. The G280 also […]
Gulfstream G650’s Flight Test
The high Mach number was achieved to validate the aircraft’s maximum speed for stability characteristics, a requirement for receiving a Certificate of Airworthiness from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Such high speeds were outside the aircraft’s normal flight envelope. The G650’s maximum allowable Mach number at the time was Mach 0.925. Before this first test […]
First Commercial Nonstop Flight
Reducing the Risk of Midair Collisions
On December 27, 1978, Former United States Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams announced a comprehensive regulatory program to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of midair collisions in U.S. airspace by 80.00%. The announcement followed a tragic collision over San Diego between a Pacific Southwest Airlines jet and a private aircraft that occurred on […]
